Post by cantador4u on Dec 13, 2009 18:46:36 GMT -5
The small bit of news on page 19 of the most recent Alamo Journal (Dec 09, # 155) talks about the discovery of artifacts and possible fortifications at the San Antonio Main Plaza caught my interest. So, I did a little internet searching and found a couple of articles. The first one is dated Oct 9, 2009 at
voices.mysanantonio.com/swasielewski/2009/10/texas-archeology-awareness-mon.html
Below is some of what they found:
"Beginning in February of 2007, the city, working with our archaeological consultant PBS&J and Mark Denton of the THC made several discoveries that help tell the story of the plaza from its pivotal role in the Texas Revolution through the growth of San Antonio into one of America's largest cities.
Archaeologists discovered the remnants of a backfilled fortification entrenchment associated with the Siege and Storming of Bexar that occurred in late 1835 until early 1836, just prior to the Battle of the Alamo. The site, known as 41BX1752 most probably represents one of four defensive Mexican military entrenchments erected by Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cos at the plaza's corners to protect the Mexican soldiers who occupied the city's civic and religious seat from the Native American, Tejano, and Texian "rebels" who sought to drive Mexican military forces from San Antonio de Bexar.
The rebel's victory in this battle prompted General Antonio José Lopez de Santa Anna to march his army north from Mexico and recapture the city, whose defenders made their last stand at the Battle of the Alamo in March 1836.
The excavation of the entrenchment, which was prompted by the construction of new storm water drains for the redeveloped plaza, uncovered military artifacts including the tip of a Mexican infantry officer's sword used during the Texas revolutionary period, gunflints, military uniform insignia, lead shot, lead pads, gun parts, domestic artifacts such as Native American ceramics, Spanish majolicas, Mexican lead glazed wares, English whitewares, buttons, and artifacts such as dice and gaming pieces, and large amounts of food refuse including animal bone. "
Another Oct 30, 2009 article is at:
www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/City_to_celebrate_Main_Plaza_artifacts.html
The digs cost $400,000 but only $100,000 had been budgeted.
Apparently some of the artifacts are on display at the Co Courthouse.
I hope there will be a more complete report of the dig other than just what the newspaper decides to print.
Paul Meske, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
voices.mysanantonio.com/swasielewski/2009/10/texas-archeology-awareness-mon.html
Below is some of what they found:
"Beginning in February of 2007, the city, working with our archaeological consultant PBS&J and Mark Denton of the THC made several discoveries that help tell the story of the plaza from its pivotal role in the Texas Revolution through the growth of San Antonio into one of America's largest cities.
Archaeologists discovered the remnants of a backfilled fortification entrenchment associated with the Siege and Storming of Bexar that occurred in late 1835 until early 1836, just prior to the Battle of the Alamo. The site, known as 41BX1752 most probably represents one of four defensive Mexican military entrenchments erected by Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cos at the plaza's corners to protect the Mexican soldiers who occupied the city's civic and religious seat from the Native American, Tejano, and Texian "rebels" who sought to drive Mexican military forces from San Antonio de Bexar.
The rebel's victory in this battle prompted General Antonio José Lopez de Santa Anna to march his army north from Mexico and recapture the city, whose defenders made their last stand at the Battle of the Alamo in March 1836.
The excavation of the entrenchment, which was prompted by the construction of new storm water drains for the redeveloped plaza, uncovered military artifacts including the tip of a Mexican infantry officer's sword used during the Texas revolutionary period, gunflints, military uniform insignia, lead shot, lead pads, gun parts, domestic artifacts such as Native American ceramics, Spanish majolicas, Mexican lead glazed wares, English whitewares, buttons, and artifacts such as dice and gaming pieces, and large amounts of food refuse including animal bone. "
Another Oct 30, 2009 article is at:
www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/City_to_celebrate_Main_Plaza_artifacts.html
The digs cost $400,000 but only $100,000 had been budgeted.
Apparently some of the artifacts are on display at the Co Courthouse.
I hope there will be a more complete report of the dig other than just what the newspaper decides to print.
Paul Meske, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
